Latest News

Elfed’s epic ascent to success

A man from Trefor, Gwynedd is about to complete an epic year-long challenge to climb Snowdon 52 times in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.

Elfed ‘Gyrn Goch’ Williams set himself the challenge of climbing Snowdon 52 times in one year and is about to embark on his 52nd and final ascent.

Elfed started climbing early in 2017 and has tackled the challenge one step at a time, raising over £10,000 for WAA.

The final ascent will take place on Friday December 8, and upon his return a special celebratory concert has been arranged in the Galeri, Caernarfon.

The Challenge 52 concert features performances from Rhys Meirion and Sioned Terry and has already sold out.

An auction has also been arranged for the evening with all proceeds going directly to Wales Air Ambulance.

Elfed chose to support Wales Air Ambulance after his son was involved in an incident which the helicopter charity attended.

Elfed said: “In 2013, my son Tomos was badly injured following an accident and was airlifted by Wales Air Ambulance from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and then to the University Hospital in Stoke.

“Thanks to Wales Air Ambulance, Tomos is still alive today so I have challenged myself to climb Snowdon 52 times in one year to raise money for a very worthy cause. The challenge itself has gone well but battling minus 12 winds in November during the storms was probably the most difficult part.

“The penultimate ascent however was quite special as I was joined by my son Tomos, who has recovered well since his accident in 2013”.

The challenge also made history when Elfed become the first climber to receive a haircut at the summit of Snowdon in August.

The original target of £5,000 has been smashed with over £10,000 raised on Elfed’s Just Giving page before his final climb this Friday.

Elfed added: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during the challenge, it means so much to me to be able to raise a considerable amount of money for such a special charity”.

WAA Fundraising Manager Lynne Garlick said: “We would like to congratulate Elfed ahead of completing this truly remarkable challenge this week. What he has achieved in a year is truly inspiring and we are very grateful to him for choosing to support us.